Discoveries often come when least expected.
We had ordered a bottle of South African Chenin Blanc from The Wine Society following a recommendation. Wishing to get a handle on this grape whose charms had never resonated with us the way they do with seemingly everyone else we fleshed out the order with a few attractive-looking bottles. The whole order looked like this:
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The Chenin Blanc was opened first of course and did nothing to resolve our problems with this grape. Nice enough but not enough nice as we say.
We next tried the rare Albilla. 'Wine Grapes' informs us that Albilla is also Albillo. However there are different Albillo/Albillas. Ours seems to be the Albillo de Albacete; a rare variety not to be confused with other Albillas.
Albilla, a locally treasured variety found only around the village of
Villamalea in Manchuela, thrives in dry, warm climates due to its
natural drought resistance. This dry-farmed wine gains added texture
from time spent on its lees and you can expect mineral-driven citrus
aromas that lead to a beautifully pithy, saline texture on the palate.
Winemaker Norrel Robertson once again showcases his exceptional talent
for crafting extraordinary and unconventional wines from overlooked
vineyards, reviving and renewing the magic of Spanish wine.
NB. Villamalea is 56 Km from Albacete.
The Society's notes continue with this:
El Escocés Volante
Literally translated as ‘the flying Scotsman’, El Escocés Volante is the brainchild of Spanish resident and Scottish winemaker Norrel Robertson MW. He learned working from the cellar up, including placements in Chianti, Portugal, Australia, France and Chile, eventually completing a postgraduate viticulture and oenology course at Lincoln University in Christchurch, New Zealand, graduating with distinction.
Norrel produces wines from across some of Spain's more obscure wine regions: his speciality is Garnacha, in particular from Calatayud, but he also makes excellent wines in Galicia, Murcia and Andalucía.
| All very fascinating and right up our street. The wine however was curious. Salty was the watchword. Interesting but not something we plan to repeat.  So when we selected the Vanguardist from Riverland we had no great expectations. True this wine ticked so many boxes: Interesting blend? You bet: Prieto Picudo, Graciano, Alfrochero, Tinta Barocca and Mencia? That sounded like a list of all our favourite Iberian varieties. Also the Abv was spot on at 12.4% and the provenance Riverland, Australia couldn't have been more interesting. So why the low expectation? Maybe that was down to quite so many positive indicators? Also the only similar Australian wine we had drunk was again Nice Enough but not Enough Nice: Koerner's 'Cinque' - a blend of Touriga Nacional, Touriga Franca, Tinta Roriz (Tempranillo), Aragonez (Trincandeira) and Castelao. We don't do tasting notes because everyone's taste is different but this 'La Petite Vanguard Le Corsair' was fabulously outstanding not least because you could taste the Prieto Picudo, one of our most-adored grape varieties and one which is not only very rare to find but not always good when you do. Anything over about 13% robs Prieto Picudo of its perfume and results just in a homogenous vinous beverage which could be anything. At £12.95 this wine is one of the bargains of the century. If we had any storage space, we would have ordered a dozen bottles straight off. With a wine so enjoyable we struggle with the hierarchy dictated by the wine world. If we enjoy drinking this wine more than a Bordeaux 1st growth, who is to say we are wrong and the establishment is right? Who are the wonderful people behind this wine? They are Michael J. Corbett and his fiancee Claire Hannagan. Michael has made over 30 vintages spread over 4 countries and 13 regions. As well as having a career as an Architectural Building Designer Claire is hands-on in the vineyard and winery. Unconventionally, Michael and Claire also have a partnership with their great friends Alexandra and Edouard Morriset Latour in Burgundy. Based in Beaune, they take charge of the Export Management and distribution Vanguardist wines throughout the world. These include a Pommard and a Fleurie as well as those made in Australia: a Roussanne, a Riesling, a Rose from Grenache and Syrah and reds from Grenache, Syrah, Cinsault and Mourvedre from Polish Hill, Clare Valley Blewett Springs, Barmera and Riverland. In a way, the Vanguardist is the equivalent of Forlorn Hope. No greater compliment can be paid. | |||||||
